Texas Tech: This might be the most improbable unbeaten in major college football, considering the No. 9 Red Raiders have done it largely with true freshman quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield (a walk-on) and then with Davis Webb. Texas Tech's 7-0 record has been built on a pillowy soft schedule but it's backloaded; starting Saturday at No. 12 Oklahoma, Texas Tech faces the other four contenders in a wide-open league race. John Rieger, USA TODAY Sports

Oregon State: It's easy to understand why Oregon State, despite six consecutive victories and a potent offense led by a Heisman candidate, is not ranked. That 49-46 loss to FCS opponent Eastern Washington will sting for a long, long time. But here comes No. 8 Stanford. Junior quarterback Sean Mannion, the nation's leading passer, has been routinely spectacular. His favorite target, junior receiver Brandin Cooks, has been just as good. If they connect enough to beat the Cardinal, voters might not forget Eastern Washington, but they'll begin to forgive. Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

Clemson: The Tigers should beat Maryland. The talent discrepancy is large enough, it shouldn't be close. But we'll watch to see how they respond after suffering that home beatdown in what was supposed to be a BCS showdown with Florida State. Does Clemson bounce back? Or does it pull a "Clemson"? Joshua S. Kelly, USA TODAY Sports

UCLA: The Pac-12 schedule-makers didn't do UCLA any favors in setting up back-to-back road games at powers Stanford and Oregon. But look at it this way: After getting shut down by Stanford, the No. 11 Bruins get another shot on an even bigger stage. ESPN's College GameDay hype machine will be in Eugene, willing and able to turn an upset by the Bruins into the story of a rapid rise of the UCLA program under Jim Mora Jr. and to jumpstart sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley's Heisman campaign a week later than he anticipated. Or else, like Washington a few weeks ago after the same gauntlet, the Bruins will slink back to subsidiary status in the Pac-12. Robert Stanton, USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee: When the Vols almost beat Georgia in overtime, it seemed like a good sign Butch Jones had the program on the right track. Then they hauled off and beat South Carolina, and there's not much doubt – never mind that the SEC East was overrated, it's clear the Vols are clawing their way back. Now comes No. 1 Alabama, and a much more difficult challenge. Around the country, people will inevitably – and unfairly – compare the results to that 59-14 loss Sept. 14 at Oregon, trying to figure out what it means in the BCS race. Better, though, to keep it specific, and measure Tennessee's progress by Alabama. Randy Sartin, USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M: We don't know about Johnny Manziel's health after he injured his right (throwing) shoulder in a loss last week to Auburn. There's no way to predict how the Aggies will respond after having their SEC West and BCS championship hopes dashed. Everything was hunky-dory with Johnny Football zipping here, there and everywhere. If he's not whole, Texas A&M's defense, which has struggled all season, will be under more pressure to stop Vanderbilt. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

USC: Ed Orgeron's interim takeover of the USC program started really well, with fatty foods and fun back on the menu – and most important, a feel-good victory over Arizona. But was that a one-hit wonder? The good vibes might have evaporated in a 14-10 loss at Notre Dame, when the Trojans managed just 121 total yards in the second half and were 2-of-13 in third-down conversions, with 11 penalties. Utah has a win over Stanford, which shows the Utes might be building something in their third year in the Pac-12. But no matter who is USC's coach, home losses to Washington State and Utah wouldn't go over well. Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina: It has been a topsy-turvy season for the head ball coach and his team, from controversy over the conditioning and health of defensive star Jadeveon Clowney – some of it generated by Steve Spurrier himself – to an unexpected loss last week to Tennessee. Making matters worse, quarterback Connor Shaw suffered a knee injury and won't play this week. To have any hope of winning the SEC East, the Gamecocks must win at No. 7 Missouri. That seems a lot more difficult now than it would have a few weeks ago. Randy Sartin, USA TODAY Sports

Duke: As the calendar turns to mid-October, things are exciting around Durham, N.C. – and not just because of hoops. David Cutcliffe's football Blue Devils are in pursuit of their second consecutive bowl game, which would be a program first. No. 19 Virginia Tech is a pretty big challenge, but if the Blue Devils achieve bowl eligibility Saturday, they could begin aiming higher. Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska: It has been more than a month since the Huskers blew that big lead and lost to UCLA, which was followed by the anonymous release of a two-year-old audio tape in which Bo Pelini ranted profanely against Nebraska fans. Three quiet victories have probably been exactly what the program – or at least, Pelini – needed. Regardless of the quarterback, most goals – the realistic ones – remain intact for No. 21 Nebraska, which is in position to win the Big Ten Legends Division. Winning at Minnesota, which is coming off a nice win at Northwestern, would be the first step in a difficult homestretch. The Huskers could be bolstered by the return of quarterback Taylor Martinez, who's been out since the UCLA game with turf toe. Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports